With the crisp fall weather comes a renewed interest in learning and academic achievement, and fall is often the most productive time for students and parents.

Ready to make this fall semester your most productive ever? Here are three tips to help your family get started.

3 Things to Remember for a Productive Fall Semester

Write it Down!

One of the easiest ways to get a handle on your time management skills is to write down everything in one place – such as a family calendar.

Not just schoolwork assignments, but lessons, appointments, sports — everything. Once you have firm commitments written down, you can block out chunks of time for schoolwork and academic projects. You can certainly use a calendar app, but a paper planner is often easier to look through, write in, and keep track of. Use whatever works best for you, but find a way to manage your time – you’ll accomplish so much more, and with less stress!

Find Balance in Your Day

No matter how busy your schedule, you still have to make time for your family. Protecting your family’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health is always more important than academic achievement.

The trick is to find balance between your school-related commitments and your personal lives. No matter how much work you have, be sure to eat healthy each day, exercise, and spend time with God. Schedule time with friends weekly, and don’t forget about fresh air and sunshine! Think you don’t have time to do it all? Schedule it in your planner and then make it happen!

Start with the Hard Stuff

Whether you get started bright and early each day, or work late into the night, you will always be more productive when you’re just starting out so begin each day with your hardest assignments.

Break long assignments into chunks that you can complete in a reasonable amount of time before you need to take a break. An hour’s worth of work with no distractions is definitely worth a 20 minute break. As the day wears on, you will find it easier to complete short, less difficult assignments, and at the end of the day, you can look back on what you’ve gotten done with a sense of accomplishment.

Ready to tackle this semester and make it your most productive ever? By staying organized, finding balance, and prioritizing your assignments, you’ll find that your days run more smoothly, you learn more, and you have extra time to enjoy with family and friends.

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